Elastic connector



Jan. 11, 1944. J. PETRULLQ I 2,338,966

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Patented Jan. 11, 1944 UNITED ELASTIC CONNECTOR John A. Petrullo, New York, N. Y., assignor to Arpy Laboratories, Inc., New York County,

Application April 8, 1942, Serial No. 438,186

Claims. (01. 46-173) This invention relates to resilient connectors, and includes among its objects:

To provide a simple, low cost article of this type which will not only serve as a substitute for metal coil spring connectors and springs generally but in addition has an indefinite number of other uses or applications in industrial life;

To provide a resilient connector capable of manufacture from resilient material such as rubber, either natural or synthetic, rubber composition, synthetic plastic of the resilient type, and a host of other flexible materials, either in new, used or scrap condition, the connector being constructed in a manner such as to impose maximum resistance to wear or rupture at the points of connection;

To provide a resilient connector which may be manufactured and sold in strip form at a very nominal cost and which may be easily cut or otherwise separated into the desired length or lengths, as for example on the job or by retail distributors, and which may be adjusted easily and quickly to any desired length;

To provide an article of the type specified which will serve as a compressible medium or gasket and which may be substituted for innumerable parts such as metal springs, gaskets, cushioning members and the like, the article being capable of manufacture from scrap rubber or other low cost available flexible materials;

And other objects and advantages which will become apparent in view of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a resilient connector in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustrates how the improved connector may be made in strips of indefinite length and subsequently cut into the desired length or lengths;

Figs. 4, 5, S and 7 illustrate modified forms of connectors;

Fig. 8 illustrates a dell having the head and limbs thereof detachably joined to the body by means of the present improved connector; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a connector which in itself may be used as an encircling means in a manner similar to the conventional rubber band.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate my improved resilient connector made from a strip ID of rubber. This rubber may be scrap rubber such as discarded inner tubes, and in fact the connector has proved highly successful when made from stock of this nature. The opposite extremities of the strip are formed with a plurality of holes H and whereby the connector is rendered adjustable to accommodate varying distances between the points of connection, may be placed in condition for further use simply by slightly shortening the connection, and has its degree of resiliency or flexibility under selective control. These holes are either punched or molded, note particularly Fig. 2, in contradistinction to being incisioned, as by slitting, cutting or the like and which would afford a starting point for tearing or rupturing of the strip at the points of connection. This is highly important, otherwise the connector would be weakened to a point where its usefulness would be practically nil, particularly when made from used or scrap material.

The strip may be of indefinite length as illustrated in Figure 3, wherein the strip is indicated at l0 and the connecting holes at ll. The vertical lines joined by dimension arrows in this figure are simply to illustrate how the strip may be out between the holes to provide individual connectors of varying lengths. It will be noted that the holes H in Fig. 3 extend throughout the length of the strip. A feature in providing the holes as shown in Fig. 3 is that they add resiliency to the connector in addition to afford ing unlimited adjustment throughout the length of the strip. By varying the spacing of these connecting holes, the resiliency of the strip may be governed in accordance With trade requirements. As in Fig. 1, the holes should be punched out of the strip, or in the event the strip is formed by molding, the holes may be cast. While the holes are shown spaced regularly along the length of the strip, they may be irregularly spaced for individual requirements or installations. A further advantage worth noting when making the strips of a continuous length, is that they may be used for belting, gaskets, and other installations where a continuous resilient cushioning or sealing member may be desired. When used as belting, the holes at the contiguousends of the strip serve as a means for insertion of a brad, staple or other like device.

Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive illustrate how the connector may be made in different shapes to meet the demands of the trade.

In Fig. 4, the body of the strip, indicated at l 2, is round in cross section and formed with a series of holes 13 at opposite ends thereof, while in Fig. 5 the body of the strip indicated at M, is of oval shape in cross section.

Fig. 6 illustrates the body it: of the connector substantially triangular in shape and formed with a series of holes it in the three corners thereof; whereas Fig. 7 shows the body 11 of substantially rectangular shape having a series of holes 18 in the four corners thereof.

As heretofore noted, the uses to which the improved resilient connector may be applied are so numerous as to render it virtually impossible to list the same. For example, a mechanic may obtain a pack of these connectors in individual lengths or continuous strips and carry them with him ready for use at all times wherever it is desired to provide a resilient connection or suspension means between two or more parts. The article may be made from various types of materials. For example, should there be a scarcity of new rubber, they may be manufactured from scrap rubber. In actual use they have been cut in strips from discarded inner tubes, the holes in the strips being punched by suitable machinery generally available in most machine shops. The demand for these simple low cost connectors is practically unlimited, and it has already been conclusively demonstrated that they are a Valuable contribution to industry.

Another important feature to be noted is that should the connector break at the point or points of connection, it is only necessary to shorten the connections to the succeeding hole or holes, whereas the connector is substantially as good as new. Under certain conditions, lengthening of the connection will serve the same purpose, although there will be an unequal pull or application of stress at the point of rupture.

Fig. 8 illustrates how the connectors may be used to assemble the limbs and head of a doll to the body thereof. The body, indicated at I9, is formed hollow and the limbs are provided with hooks 25] at their inner ends which are adapted to engage in any selected hole formed in the resilient connectors. indicated in this figure at 2| and 22. Should the limbs of the doll come loose, or should it be desired to increase the pulling tension on the limbs or head, it is only necessary to adjust the hooks to the hole which will give the desired tension. This type of connector replaces the conventional corded elastic ofttimes used for assembling limbs to the body of a doll or other toy, and is superior to the rubber band in that it is easier to assemble and has greater strength.

This type of connector when used as shown in Fig. 8, or for assembling the limbs and other parts ofa toy figure to its body or torso, not only facilitates adjustment of the pulling tension but permits one limb to be placed under greater or less tension than another limb or limbs. For example, the hook is of one leg may be engaged in the end hole of the strip connector and the hook of the other leg engaged in the next succeeding hole, with the result that the one lee will be under greater tension than the other. The connectors of Figs. 6 and 7 may also be used to advantage in assembling articulated dolls, toys and the like, and while not shown in this particular application in the drawing. the manner of assembling will be obvious. It is preferred to use a ball and socket joint for the inner ends of the limbs and the interrelated holes formed in the torso.

Fig. 9 illustrates a resilient connector 23 formed with holes 241 at one end only and a latch head 25 at the opposite end adapted to engage in any one of the holes 24 should it be desired to use the connector as an encircling means in a manner similar to a rubber band. In this instance, the

strip and holes may be formed of the same material and in the same manner as previously described. While the connectors shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, could perform the function of a rubber band, that would require a suitable brad or other device for connecting the contiguous ends thereof.

As heretofore noted, the apertures formed in the connector may be gauged to obtain selective flexibility, and these apertures also may be used to control the weight of the connector and to facilitate detachment of strips of predetermined lengths. Thus in Fig. 3 the strip may be scored or partially severed as indicated at 26 across one of the apertures or perforations H, so that the strip may be easily parted at this point without requiring the use of a knife or like tool.

The improved resilient connector herein disclosed while being of unusual simplicity, has proven its merit as a valuable contribution to the art; and it will be understood that the specific description as well as the illustrations in the drawing are not to be construed as limitations but simply as a means of disclosing the invention in certain of its forms, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a doll body or torso of hollow construction and having interrelated openings for the legs, arms and neck; a head, arms and legs all detachably and movably connected to said body in their respective openings, said head, arms and legs being provided with hooks projecting from their inner ends into said body, a connection between said hooks within said body maintaining the head, arms and legs in place in a manner that they may be moved in a natural position in their respective sockets, said connection being formed of elastic strip material provided with spaced perforations facilitating adjustment of the tension on said members and providing greater frictional resistance to movement on some of the members as regards the others, the arrangement of the perforations facilitating the use of successive perforations in the event that any perforation is torn out and likewise making it possible to vary the relative tension between the members and the body and also rendering the material more flexible and lighter in weight.

2. In a doll structure, body, arm and leg members, a connector for securing each of said members to the body so that the members may move in a natural or lifelike manner, said connector being of elastic strip material and having spaced perforations devoid of tear points, and fastening elements selectively engaged in said perforations and attached to said members and maintaining the parts assembled.

3. In a device having a hollow body and articulated members connected to said body, said body and members being formed with coacting ball and socket joints, hooks connected to the inner ends of said members and means connecting said articulated members to one another through said body comprising a substantially solid piece of elastic material such as rubber and provided with a plurality of spaced apertures to receive said hooks, the material being removed in forming said apertures to avoid tear points, the arrange ment of said apertures facilitating adjustment of the tension on said members and also making it possible to selectively vary the tension between said members and the body.

4. An articulated doll comprising a body or torso, limbs and a neck and head, the body being hollow and formed with openings for the neck and limbs, hooks projecting from the neck and inner ends of the limbs, connections for holding the limbs and head and neck in articulated assembled relation to the body comprising strips of elastic material having apertures formed in opposite extremities thereof for connecting the strips to said hooks, there being a plurality of said apertures spaced along the length of each strip to permit adjustment of tension and to permit use of successive apertures in the event the strip should tear at any one or more of the apertures.

5. For use in a doll structure having body, arm and leg members, a connector for securing each of said members to said body so that the members may move in a natural lifelike manner, said connector being of elastic strip material and having spaced perforations devoid of tear points and of a diameter only slightly less than the Width of the strip, and fastening elements for selective engagement in said perforations and attachable to said members to maintain the parts in assembled relation.

JOHN A. PETRULLO. 

